Special weather statement issued for Cuyahoga, Lorain, Medina counties due to area of strong thunderstorms

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a special weather statement for a strong line of thunderstorms for Cuyahoga, Lorain and Medina counties.

According to the statement, at 4:40 p.m. an area of strong thunderstorms was located 7 miles south of Grafton, 8 miles west of Medina, moving east at 25 mph. Additional thunderstorms are expected to develop through the evening.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea-sized hail are possible with these storms, and locally heavy rainfall can also be expected.

The Weather Service says frequent cloud to ground lightning is accompanying these thunderstorms, and therefore urges those outside to seek safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.

A special weather statement is issued when a thunderstorm is particularly strong with high wind gusts and pea-sized hail, but do not meet the requirements of a severe thunderstorm warning. If wind gusts top 58 mph and/or with hail greater than 1 inch in diameter, then a warning will be issued.

For the most up-to-date information on this special weather statement, check out the National Weather Service in Cleveland's website.

Keep checking cleveland.com/weather for daily weather updates for Northeast Ohio, and don't forget to submit any weather questions you may have!